A moderate-vs-progressive fight in the 45th

Plus some recommended reading on the passing of a political giant

Kirkland Democratic Rep. Larry Springer is one of the handful of business-minded moderates in the increasingly progressive House Democratic caucus. In November, voters in the 45th Legislative District, which Springer has represented since 2005, will decide if the self-described “blue dog Democrat¹” still represents the values and interests of voters in the nearly 100-mile swath stretching east of Lake Washington through most of Kirkland, parts of Redmond, and into rural parts of King County. 

Springer faces a challenge from Melissa Demyan, an organizer for the powerful Machinists Union who lives in Redmond Ridge. Demyan told The Observer she feels Springer is out of touch with the needs of the district, as reflected by his voting record on key issues related to health care, affordable housing, climate change, and labor relations. 

Melissa Demyan and Larry Springer, courtesy of their campaigns.

The race between Springer and Demyan for the House seat in the 45th is one of few competitive Democrat-on-Democrat races in a safely blue district, and the results of the primary show the margins in the general could be narrow.